Sunday 2nd January 1944

A walk with Horrocks and Lias. The latter was very upset because one of our fellows from 41 (by name Fraser) was beaten up last night.

They found him awake at midnight. He asked for a sleeping-draught and was given a dose of salts which he refused. Shortly afterwards he had to visit the lavatory. Inside, he was seized by two orderlies; one held him whilst the other punched him, chiefly in the stomach. This seems almost incredible so later on I questioned two other patients from that ward. Without prompting they told the same story, except they did not agree with another of William's statements – that water had been thrown over Fraser during the struggle. They both heard the argument about the salts, and later on the thud of the blows.